Simmental bulls met a flying trade with 14 lots selling to a five-figure sum at yesterday’s Stirling Bull Sales.
Auctioneers United Auctions sold 120 bulls to a clearance rate of 75% and an average of £6,066. This is up £391 on last year’s sale, when 122 sold to average £5,675.
British Simmental Cattle Society chief executive, Neil Shand, said buyers were prepared to pay a premium for animals that had been semen tested or tried out, and health status was also important.
“It was a good show, but not a vintage show of bulls,” said Mr Shand who hailed a strong trade due to farmers having more money in their pockets.
Leading the sale at 21,000gn was the reserve senior champion from Richard McCulloch’s Overhill House herd at Armadale, West Lothian.
April-2015 born Overhill House Guinness, by the ¤18,000 Curaheen Drifter and out of Woodhall Amara, was sold to a consortium of un-named buyers. It is thought the bull has been bought for export to southern Ireland.
Next best at 20,000gn was the reserve overall champion from Society chief executive Neil Shand, Cairnorrie Farm, Methlick, Ellon.
July-2015 born Dirnanean Grafter, by Ranfurly Confederate and out of Dirnanean Bradley, was bought as a calf at foot at the reduction sale of Finlay McGowan’s Dirnanean herd at Incheoch Farms, Alyth. He was snapped up by Adrian Ivory of Strathisla Farms, Meigle, Perthshire.
Thereafter 16,000gn was paid for the junior champion – September-2015 born Aultmore Goliath from Garry Patterson, Upper Forgie, Aultmore, Keith.
An AI son of Bawny Bonzo out of Hazelden Jingle 8th, he was reserve overall senior champion at last year’s Stars of the Future calf show. He sold to Richard McCulloch at Overhill House.
Selling for 15,000gn was July-2015 born Denizes Gallant from Michael Barlow, Foar Oaks, Leyland, Preston. By Bosahan Dynamo, he sold to Robert McAlister, Langalbuinoch Farm, Kingarth, Isle of Bute.
Another at 15,000gn was November-2015 born Wolfstar Gold Digger from Alex and Ross King family at Tranent, East Lothian. By Team Celtic, he sold to Lachlan Quarm, Holehouse, Ayrshire.
The next leading price was 13,000gn for the overall champion from the pre-sale show – April 2015-born Islavale Gambler from Keith breeder Stewart Stronach, Berryleys Farm, Grange.
By the 15,000gn Atlow Dixon, and out of Islavale Cassie, he sold to Backmuir Trading, Keith.
Next best at 12,000gn was August 2015-born Kilbride Farm Goldstar selling to Brian Grant, who runs the Dellfield herd at Druid Temple, Inverness. He was put forward by Northern Irish breeders Billy, Michael and Matthew Robson of Doagh, Ballyclare.
Four beasts sold for 11,000gn.
First at this price was Wolfstar Gordy, by Team Celtic, from the Kings at Tranent. He sold to the Smith family for their Drumsleed herd at Fordoun, Laurencekirk.
Next at 11,000gn was Drumacritten George, by Dermotstown Delboy, from the Nelsons at Drumacritten, Rosslea, Co Fermanagh. He sold to John Jeffrey for his Kersknowe herd at Kelso.
The third lot at this price was an entry from the Green family’s Corskie herd at Garmouth, Fochabers. Corskie Grantown, by the 45,000gn Bel Dhu Capercaillie, sold to Jim Innes at Dunscroft, Huntly.
The last lot at 11,000gn was the reserve junior champion from Brian Grant’s Dellfield herd.
Dellfield Goldeneye, by the 11,000gn Islavale Ensign, sold to J. Duff and Son, Broomknowe, Brechin.
In the female sale a top price of 7,800gn for an April-2015 born heifer form William Young’s Skerrington herd at Kilmarnock.
Skerrington Rhona 42nd, which is by Sowenna Aristocrat, sold to B. Chadwick, 11 Mulberry Way, Hilton.